The Basil Recipes That'll Liven Up Your Summer Plate

These dishes are on point.

Basil is summer’s defining herb. In many parts of the Western world, the blossoming of this herb coincides with many of the season’s other darlings, like tomatoes and peaches. Naturally, the herb ― which is a member of the mint family ― is a perfect complement and is paired together in many dishes.

It is believed that basil first had its start in Asia and Africa ― but it quickly took off all over the world. While basil is available in over 60 varieties, the most popular kind is sweet Italian basil, known as Sweet Genovese. With big, soft leaves, it just begs to be served on top of pasta. Or turned into pesto. Or both.

Thai basil (which has smaller, pointed leaves) and purple opal basil (which is purple) are also common these days.

Whichever kind you get your hands on, try them in a few of the recipes below.

1
Lavender Basil Lemonade
Half Baked Harvest
Get the Lavender Basil Lemonade recipe from Half Baked Harvest
2
Zucchini And Fresh Corn Farmers’ Market Salad With Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette
Foodie Crush
3
Artichoke Burrata Pizza With Lemon Basil Pesto
How Sweet It Is
4
Garlic Basil Barramundi Skillet With Tomato Butter Sauce
Pinch of Yum
5
Sun-Dried Tomato And Basil Pinwheels
Minimalist Baker
Get the Sun-Dried Tomato And Basil Pinwheels recipe from Minimalist Baker
6
Basil Goat Cheese Pasta Salad
Half Baked Harvest
Get the Basil Goat Cheese Pasta Salad recipe from Half Baked Harvest
7
Raspberry Basil Mojito
A Beautiful Mess
Get the Raspberry Basil Mojito recipe from A Beautiful Mess
8
Chickpea Sauté With Basil And Pine Nuts
Alexandra's Kitchen
Get the Chickpea Sauté with Basil and Pine Nuts recipe from Alexandra's Kitchen
9
20-Minute Basil Cashew Chicken
Half Baked Harvest
Get the 20-Minute Basil Cashew Chicken recipe from Half Baked Harvest
10
Caramelized Peach Caprese Salad With Smoked Sea Salt
How Sweet It Is
11
Sparkling Cucumber Basil Lemonade
Hummingbird High
Get the Sparkling Cucumber Basil Lemonade recipe from Hummingbird High
12
Zucchini Pesto Lasagna
Naturally Ella
Get the Zucchini Pesto Lasagna recipe from Naturally Ella
13
Basil Cheesecake With Chocolate Sauce
A Beautiful Mess
Get the Basil Cheesecake with Chocolate Sauce recipe from A Beautiful Mess
14
Heirloom Tomato Basil Mozzarella Caprese Salad
Simply Recipes
15
Peanut Butter Basil Sandwich
Minimalist Baker
Get the Peanut Butter Basil Sandwich recipe from Minimalist Baker
16
Fresh Basil Salad With Prosciutto Wrapped Melon And Toasted Seed Rolled Goat Cheese
Half Baked Harvest
17
Quick, Healthy Zucchini Basil Soup
Feasting at Home
Get the Quick, Healthy Zucchini Basil Soup recipe from Feasting at Home
18
Strawberry Basil Coconut Cream Puffs
Hummingbird High
Get the Strawberry Basil Coconut Cream Puffs recipe from Hummingbird High
19
Fresh Basil Pesto
Simply Recipes
Get the Fresh Basil Pesto recipe from Simply Recipes
20
Tomato And Peach Salad With Red Onion And Basil
Dinner Was Delicious
21
Peanut Butter And Basil Milkshake
Minimalist Baker
Get the Peanut Butter And Basil Milkshake recipe from Minimalist Baker
22
Fried Mozzarella, Basil and Nectarine Stacks with Balsamic Glaze
Half Baked Harvest
23
Nectarine Pizza With Fresh Basil And Reduced Balsamic
Alexandra's Kitchen
24
Fried Caprese Salad
bell'allimento
Get the Fried Caprese Salad recipe from bell'allimento
25
Super Summery Pasta
Alexandra's Kitchen
Get the Super Summery Pasta recipe from Alexandra's Kitchen
26
Basil Cornmeal Sandwich Shortbread With Apricot Filling
Becca Bakes
27
Grilled Peach And Basil Arnold Palmer
Half Baked Harvest
Get the Grilled Peach and Basil Arnold Palmer recipe from Half Baked Harvest

Before You Go

LOADINGERROR LOADING

Popular in the Community

Close

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

MORE IN LIFE